What's new, what's happening, and what's to come in Tampa Bay public transportation.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

HART Ridership Continues Growth in May

HART bus ridership numbers for
May are in!

Bus ridership for May 2013 is
1,255,586, up 3.5 percent compared to the same month last year.

Bus ridership is up 2.8 percent
year to date (October 2012 - May 2013), compared to the same months last
year.

May 6th saw the greatest
ridership throughout the month with 53,802 riders choosing HART.

Ridership isn't the only thing
going up at Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART). Numbers show
HART's new premier bus service is becoming popular among our
riders. During its first 4 days of service, MetroRapid ridership was 4,336. A clear
indication that our riders are shifting to MetroRapid.

Last week was the last week for
Hillsborough County public school students, which means it's time to blast into
summer with HART's Summer Blast Pass. (SBP) For just $30, students 17 and
under get unlimited rides on HART local bus routes all summer long. HART's SBP
is a perfect way to get to summer jobs, the movies, the mall and all of your
favorite places. The HART Summer Blast Pass is now on sale, and may be used on
any HART local bus route May 13 - Aug. 31.

Summer Blast Passes are available for purchase at any of the following four
HART locations:

Downtown
Tampa: HART on
Franklin, 403 N. Franklin

Downtown Tampa: Marion Transit Center,
1211 N. Marion St.

University Area: University Area Transit Center,
13110 N. 27th St.

Ybor City: HART Administrative Offices,
1201 E. Seventh Ave.

Summer Blast Pass is not valid
for use on HART Express, HARTPlus, or the TECO Line Streetcar System. Proof of
age is required at the time of purchase.

Last year nearly 67,134 trips were taken as part of Summer Blast Pass. The
purpose of the program is to familiarize youth to consider transit as
alternative transportation, and it allows them to travel safely and
independently throughout Hillsborough County.